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Be sure to spend some extra pre-cruise time in Barcelona and post-cruise time in Lisbon because you won’t have time on the actual cruise to explore these cities. Onboard, there’s a large assortment of dining options, bars and lounges, and a spa with a thermal lounge and snow room (kept at 14 degrees). Many cruise lines focus on seven- to 14-day itineraries in the Mediterranean, making it hard to find an option if you don’t have a full week or two for your vacation. Enter Norwegian Cruise Line, which offers an abbreviated four-day cruise for those looking to get a quick taste of cruise life. Aboard the Norwegian Escape, which was just refurbished in 2022, you’ll journey from Barcelona to Rome’s northwestern neighbor Civitavecchia, with stops in Cannes and Florence.
Barcelona, Spain
New MedCruise report captures key data on cruising in Mediterranean - Seatrade Cruise News
New MedCruise report captures key data on cruising in Mediterranean.
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 12:48:11 GMT [source]
It’s also a great cruise option for people with disabilities—eight of the rooms meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Go during the shoulder season, which is the spring (March through May) or fall (mid-September through October). You’ll be rewarded with fewer crowds, lower prices, more temperate weather and an overall more enjoyable experience.
& THE CANARY ISLANDS
The town center is 6km from Palma de Mallorca cruise port, so you’ll need to take a taxi or bus. Located on the northeast coast of Italy, the Port of Trieste is a must-see Mediterranean cruise port for any discerning traveler. Its close proximity to the town center, just a short and picturesque walk away, makes it an ideal destination for those looking for a walkable and immersive experience.
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By venturing off the beaten path, vacationers can discover new destinations and experiences in these hidden gem Mediterranean cruise ports. For more information about other cruise ports around the world, visit our cruise ports guide. The Mediterranean region is a hub of activity for cruises, boasting some of the world’s most sought-after destinations.
It’s relatively untouristy but there’s enough to occupy you for a day here – the striking Moorish Alcazaba fortress, a cathedral and old quarter, and Zapillo beach. Shore excursions include city sightseeing tours, boat trips to Neptune’s caves and the Porto Conte Natural Park, wine-tasting, and visits to the colourful towns of Bosa and Castelsardo. In 2024, Carnival Cruise Line is expanding its offering of seasonal European sailings on its 2,200-guest Carnival Legend.
Palma de Mallorca
But you’re also here to see the Mediterranean, so you’ll need to maximize your time off the ship too. Your cruise begins in Barcelona, with stops in Gibraltar, Marseille, Genoa and Florence before culminating in Civitavecchia, near Rome. Plus, you’ll hit many of the most popular ports in Spain, France and Italy on this seven-night cruise in the Western Mediterranean, including Barcelona, Cannes, Cinque Terre and Portofino. Its 10-Day Cruise to the Mediterranean showcases Turkey and Greece, with additional stops in Egypt and Cyprus. The stunning landscapes and culturally-enriching history of these destinations make them a must-see on any Mediterranean cruise.
If you prefer to explore Naples itself, there are plenty of things to see. The city itself is known for its striking architecture and delicious cuisine. Visitors can admire the city’s countless churches, from the impressive Cathedral of Naples, with its towering cupola, to the ornate Church of San Giovanni a Carbonara, a masterwork of Gothic architecture.
Cruise to the Mediterranean and discover the regions top 15 food and wine destinations from the most famous tapas in Barcelona, to the endless choices of seafood in Greece and more. The best Mediterranean cruises offer you the opportunity to explore the charming, ancient harbors of Italy, Greece and Croatia. Visit some ancient monuments like temples and amphitheaters, or medieval palaces and cathedrals. Head to the sun-drenched golden beaches and take a refreshing dip in the clear blue sea. Set sail on a dream vacation to the best places to visit when you cruise the Mediterranean.
But there are more ancient sites in Athens than you can see in a day. The Acropolis Museum is at the foot of the hill, and the Ancient Agora is also worth a visit. It’s worth sticking around to enjoy this relaxed town and its nearby upmarket beaches and resort area – Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Saint-John-Cap-Ferrat. The gateway to the archipelago state Malta is its capital city Valletta, home to one of the biggest natural harbours and best preserved medieval old towns in Europe. Trieste is Italy’s easternmost city and often overlooked by visitors due to its proximity to Venice. Close to the Slovenian border, Trieste was formerly part of the Austrian Empire and looks more like Vienna than an Italy city.
There’s plenty to see in Alicante including palm-lined esplanades, Moorish architecture, medieval castles, and an excellent food and drink scene. Alghero, Sardinia’s second city, will win you over with its Catalan Gothic architecture, seafood restaurants, ramparts and the long Maria Pia beach. But I only book with third-party operators if the ship docks right at the city I want to explore because I never want to miss the all-aboard time. My biggest tip for any cruise — but especially for Americans traveling to Europe for a Mediterranean cruise — is to arrive at your embarkation city at least a day before your sailing starts. Of course, the list does not end here, but to mention a few, these cruise lines offer the most top-rated services and some of the best Mediterranean cruises in the industry. Logically, summer seems like the best time for a Mediterranean cruise.
Most cruise vessels dock here; however, some anchor in the old port. The cruise terminal is a 10-minute walk from the Piazza del Plebiscito or the historical city centre. Travelling on foot from the cruise terminal is a good option since there is so much to explore and appreciate in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you are planning a cruise like this, my top tip is to do lots of research beforehand and book your shore excursions early as they can sell out quickly. This region is a picturesque blend of steep cliffs, coastal towns like Positano, and historic sites like the ruins of Pompeii. While Split itself is a fabulous cruise port, it makes my top ten due to it’s proximity to Krka National Park.
Gondolas and vaporetti (water buses) are the main modes of transport, and a gondola ride is a must-do to appreciate the city’s historic layout. Dubrovnik, Croatia, is a fortress city known for its stunning Old Town encircled by massive stone walls. As you walk the streets, you’ll be enveloped in history, from the well-preserved Renaissance architecture like the Sponza Palace to the vibrant main street, Stradun. Well, based on my own experiences of traveling throughout the Mediterranean over the past 30 years of so, I’ve picked out my personal top 10. They are much more reserved, the average cruising age is higher and the focus on on the destination rather than the ship or the sailaway party. The majority of ships, however, arrive in the spring and depart in the fall, choosing warmer climes like the Caribbean for holiday sailings.
Discover the charm of the Mediterranean on a bucket list busting Euro vacation this summer. Catch spellbinding views of multicolored seaside towns sparkling against turquoise waters along the Amalfi Coast. Wander through bougainvillea-draped pathways and sun kissed shores in Mykonos.
It’s small and friendly and home to some of the best food in Greece. The Greek island of Santorini is one of the Mediterranean’s most iconic sights and is a popular tender port in Greece. The unique villages of the caldera (volcano lip) such as Fira and Oia are the star attraction here, with their famous blue-domed churches and whitewashed cave houses. It’s also possible to take a tour to neighbouring islands Ithaca, Zakynthos, or Lefkada. From Izmir you can take a shore excursion to the ancient sites at Ephesus, Miletus, and Didyma, or to the famous hot springs and white terraces at Pamukkale.
The peak season for Western Mediterranean cruises is from June to September, with the summer months being the busiest. Some of the most popular Mediterranean cruise ports include Barcelona in Spain, Civitavecchia (the gateway to Rome) in Italy, and Piraeus (the port for Athens) in Greece. However, there are also several hidden gems like Kotor in Montenegro, Valletta in Malta, and Dubrovnik in Croatia, which offer equally captivating experiences. Tourists should go for food and wine-focused shore excursions and sports car experiences in Monaco. The city houses more than 45,000 inhabitants, and the cruise terminal receives 600 cruises annually.
